Page 30 of Loved to Death

The captain stared intently at Thomas. “I need proof that you can control yourself, and I want my men to see the worst you have to offer before we vote.”

“How do you…”

Before Thomas could finish his question, the captain had nodded to the crew member. The older man pulled out a knife, cut his own forearm, and put the wound close to Thomas’ face.

Thomas’ sharp teeth came down and he tried to step back, but the captain grabbed his arm to hold him still.

“I control myself by avoiding humans and filling up on animal blood as often as possible!” Thomas blurted. He turned his head away from the blood and yanked his arm out of the captain’s grip before stepping back.

Once he was three steps away, he forced his teeth back up and glared at the captain.

The man stared at his empty hand with raised eyebrows for a split second before turning to Thomas with narrowed eyes. “You’re strong. Unnaturally strong.”

Thomas raised his chin. “Yes, I am.”

The two men stared at each other for a moment before the captain nodded and waved at the older crew member. “Patch yourself up, Robert.” He turned to another man and said, “Bring us the smallest pig.”

A few moments later, a young pig was herded into the center of the ring. Captain Martinez pointed to the pig and said, “Eat. I want the men to see it before we vote.”

Uncomfortably aware of his audience, Thomas swallowed his pride. He leaned down and effortlessly picked up the one-hundred-and-fifty-pound animal in one arm, causing multiple gasps from the crowd. He held the pig’s head steady with his other arm and used his sharp teeth to bite through the tough skin of the pig’s neck. The terrified animal squealed and struggled at first, but it was no match for Thomas. He’d fed on pig’s blood a few times over the past five years and found it to be just as disgusting as all other animal blood. He drank only a little before retracting his teeth and licking the wound closed. Then he set the squirming pig back on his feet. The frightened animal ran away squealing.

He looked around at the faces of the crew. A few of them were clearly disgusted, but to his surprise many of them weren’t.

“That’s it?” the captain bellowed. He faced his crew and pointed back at Thomas. “That’sthe evil demon you all were up in arms about? The lad looks barely old enough to shave, and he couldn’t even kill a pig!”

There were unhappy murmurs in the crowd.

“Speak up!” the captain said. “This is your chance to protest. Once the vote is done, I won’t hear another word on the subject.”

“His eyes were black like the devil!” one man shouted.

“He drinks blood!”

“He’s unnatural!”

“He’s strong enough to kill us all in our sleep!”

Once the protests died down, the captain nodded. “Anyone else?” After a few moments of silence, he said, “Anyone in favor of letting him live?”

The first mate spoke up. “He may be strong enough to kill us all, but he hasn’t. Think of what he could do to our enemies in battle.”

The watch leader who’d introduced Thomas to the captain said, “He could have forced his way onto the ship but instead he paid for passage.”

“He didn’t attack Robert when he cut himself,” another crewman called out.

“He didn’t even kill the pig.”

After a few more spoke, the captain held up his hand again. “Time to vote. Those in favor of letting him live raise your hand.”

Thomas took a quick count of hands. Seventy-three were in favor, but he wasn’t sure exactly how many crew members there were.

“Opposed?” the captain asked.

Sixty-eight.

The captain slapped Thomas on the back and said, “Congratulations, Mr. Clarke, you get to live. Let me introduce you to the crew.”

His earlier panic faded entirely while meeting the friendlier crew members, including the first mate, Mr. Johansen, and the watch leader, Mr. Wagner. No longer afraid for his life, Thomas refocused on his new sense. Shen’s fear had turned to sorrow. Thomas’ heart ached and he prayed that Shen would survive until Thomas could rescue him.

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